2004 Demonstration Project
Sharon Steel: Midvaie, utah
THE SITE: The 470-acre Sharon Steel Superfund Site in Midvaie, Utah
is located approximately 12.5 south of Salt Lake City, Utah. It consists
of two Operable Units (OUs). OU1 is considered to be the source of the
contamination, which remains on site; OU2 comprises of residential and
commercial properties to which contamination spread by blowing wind.
While the properties in OU2 returned to use immediately after cleanup, the
capped and vegetated, 260 acres of OU1 has remained vacant in Midvaie
since the cleanup of the former smelting and milling facility.
THE OPPORTUNITY: A development group (consisting of the property
owners and Midvaie officials) is considering a redevelopment plan for
a mixed land-use community that would include commercial, office,
business park, and residential uses, as well as parks, open spaces, and
neighborhood town center.
THE BARRIER: Midvaie is home to two large Superfund sites, and the
city's long history of dealing with these sites in all stages of the remedial
process has made it difficult to keep redevelopment process going
forward. As at other superfund sites in the area, stigma associated with
the Sharon Steel property poses a barrier to its reuse. In the past, EPA had
issued "clean letters" stating the cleanup was successful and the site was
no longer hazardous. However, these letters were not enough to offset the
skepticism and stigma surrounding the site.
THE SOLUTION: In July 2004, an Explanation of Significant
Differences was written to address the proposed change in use at the site:
The scope of operation and maintenance of the site would be broadened
and the required responsibilities more defined. Institutional controls
would be more extensive and the land reuse broadened to include various
mixed uses. On September 24, 2004, EPA deleted the site from the
National Priorities List of Superfund Sites. On September 30, 2004, EPA
issued a Ready for Reuse (RfR) determination that says the Sharon Steel
site is ready for mixed uses, such as residential and commercial. After
EPA issued the document, the Midvaie Director of the Department of
Community and Economic Development said the RfR determination was
a key element to keeping reuse discussions moving forward. Also in 2004,
a Site Modification Plan for redevelopment was approved by EPA, the
State, and Midvaie City and was subsequently issued by the Sharon Steel
development group. In order to maintain the protectiveness of the remedy
Barrier: Superfund stigma
Solution: A tripartite effort:
• Midvaie City: implemented
and maintained institutional
control program to allow for
redevelopment;
• Developers: provided
creative redevelopment plans,
demonstrated willingness to
collaborate with federal, state,
and local agencies;
• U.S. EPA: issued RfR
determination
Before: Cleaned up smelting
and milling facility; 260 vacant
acres; capped in 1996, the property
loomed over Midvaie City like a
large, flat-topped hill
After: Planned mixed land-use
community
urmea btates
Environmental Protection
Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
updated June 2009
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and success of the redevelopment project, EPA, the State, Midvale City, and local stakeholders will continue to
work together to see that redevelopment on the site becomes a reality.
THE MIXED USE COMMUNITY: The proposed planned community will have a range of land uses, including a
2,500-unit residential development. Because the redevelopment plan for the Sharon Steel site involves construction
activities on a capped tailings pile, State operation and maintenance activities and institutional controls developed
during the Midvale City zoning and land-use planning processes will need to be followed and enforced to ensure
that the remedy remains protective during and after redevelopment. The Institutional Control Process Plan, which
was developed to facilitate reuse of the site in compliance with the 2004 Explanation of Significant Differences,
will provide guidelines for adhering to institutional controls requirement at the site. In 2005, the developer at the
site delivered a draft geotechnical report for the site. Recent developments such as the new boulevard and light rail
line, on the adjacent Midvale site are positively impacting interest in investing in the development of the Sharon
Steel property. Consequently, it is anticipated that by the end of 2010, a portion of this site will be developed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Erna Waterman, Remedial Project Manager, at (303) 312-6762 or
waterman.erna@epa.gov: or Fran Costanzi, Region 8 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at
costanzi.fran@epa.gov or (303) 312-6552.
Aerial view of Operable Unit 1 of the Sharon Steel site, looking south.
urmea btates
Environmental Protection
Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
updated June 2UU9
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